ISSCC Virtual Museum: Imager

ISSCC 50th Anniversary lists the outstanding ideas over 50 years of solid-state circuit history.

Silicon 60 - optoelectronic field

The EE Time 60 Emerging Startups list reflects the latest corporate, commercial, technology and market conditions.
(http://www.eetimes.com/General/DisplayPrintViewContent?contentItemId=4210527)
I simplify the list  within optoelectronic filed:

Canesta: time-of-flight CMOS sensor

Recently, Canesta agree to be acquired by Microsoft.

Micron Technology: FLCOS

FLCOS(Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal On Silicon), derivative of LCoS, is used in projector.

(LCos: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_crystal_on_silicon)

ORA acquired by Synopsys

ORA (Optical Research Associate) is now part of Synopsys.

       

0.9um Pixel

14.1  A Leading-Edge 0.9um Pixel CMOS Image Sensor Technology with Backside Illumination: Future Challenges for Pixel Scaling (Invited), S.G. Wuu, C.C. Wang, B.C. Hseih, Y.L. Tu, C.H. Tseng, T.H. Hsu, R.S. Hsiao, S. Takahashi, R.J. Lin, C.S. Tsai, Y.P. Chao, K.Y. Chou, P.S. Chou, H.Y. Tu, L.Tran,

In this paper, a leading edge N65 0.9um pixel BSI technology using 300mm bulk silicon wafer is reported with process breakthroughs. Challenges to go beyond <0.9um pixel size are discussed.

OPTEX: 3D Image Camera

Optex is based in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. 

Optex introduced the world's first infrared-based automatic door sensor in 1980 and since has become a world leading supplier of infrared-based sensor products for applications in the security, automatic door, factory automation, environment monitoring, and transportation fields. The company's core sensing technology - a fusion of infrared and image processing techniques - provides cost efficient and reliable products that can detect objects and humans with accuracy. 

Aptina: DR-Pix

Aptina DR-Pix: 2 mode in pixel

Low conversion gain(LCG): in bright light

High conversion gain(HCG): in low light

Aptina releases this high dynamic range technique for camera application.

Original inter-scene DR is limited to 69dB, but can be equal to 82.9dB at HCG mode.

Tessera: image optics division

major division:

1.Microelectronics

2. Imaging & Optics